Try these tips for learning French when you are in your fifties Columnist Cynthia Spillman’s husband failed O-level French twice but then passed his GCSE and AS-level aged 52 - she shares the tips that helped him become more fluent
Learning French: Jouer à l’oreille: hit the right note with these musical phrases Fine-tune your music-themed vocabulary for the fête de la musique on June 21
Learning French: vocabulary to use at the post office in France Practise key post-office phrases and vocabulary in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School
magazine Learning French: Ça tape and nine other expressions for hot weather From a 'lead sun' to 'swimming' in sweat, here are some phrases to use as the temperature soars across France
Learning French: what does quelconque mean and when should it be used? An adjective to describe something ordinary or insignificant
Learning French: This little word for work is actually an acronym When to use the acronym for 'travail à faire', or 'work to do'
French translations can be delightful... when done wrong Columnist Nick Inman looks at author Mark Twain's humorous take on French translation
Learning French: how to tell the time in France O’clock, half past, noon… Practise key time phrases and vocabulary in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School
Learning French: Five fun ways to make a decision in France From chifumi to chou-fleur... do you know the French equivalent to 'rock, paper, scissors'?
Learning French: can you guess the film behind these translated titles? Paris' Nuit Blanche 2025 shines a spotlight on cinema – here we look at the some of the surprising choices for translations of film names
Learning French: tips for speaking to a mechanic in France Practise key phrases and vocabulary for taking your car to the garage, in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School
Learning French: why do we say le vent d’autan rend fou? Plus, more ways to describe madness when in France
Learning French: How to introduce yourself to a stranger in France Practise key phrases and vocabulary for meeting new people, in this practical French lesson from the Little Language School
Learning French: the origins and meaning of c’est le serpent qui se mord la queue Use this phrase when you find yourself in a catch-22 La Fête des Mères: 10 French expressions about mothers Learning French: Chapeau if you know these 10 clothing-themed phrases Learning French: How to write a cheque in France
Learning French: understanding three words originating from Marseille Have you ever heard someone say tarpin, gâté or tanquer? Learning French: nouns that even native speakers commonly misgender Learning French: when and why do we say avoir le compas dans l'œil? Learning French: the origins and meaning of faire le mariole Tested for you: Google’s free AI personalised French lessons Citizenship: Are spouses of French people affected by tougher language test rule?
Learning French: what does à fond mean and when should it be used? An enthusiastic and thorough adverb
Learning French: the origins and meaning of être dans la force de l’âge A saying to describe being in the prime of life
Learning French: what does recevoir une note salée mean and when should it be used? A salty saying for inflated expenses
Learning French: when and why do we say qui se ressemble s’assemble? This rhyming expression is all about highlighting similarities between people
Spelling and pronunciation make odd bedfellows in English as in French Here are some tips to navigate common quirks
Curiosities of the French language: The jolly month of mai The French word for the fifth month of the year shares its pronunciation with several common words
Why your accent should not hold you back when speaking French Columnist Nick Inman notes that some French people are harsh judges of foreign speakers
Learning French: what does sacquer mean and when should it be used? You may be able to guess one of the meanings behind this informal term that sounds just like an English equivalent
Learning French: Have you ever dreamt in your target language? From passive listening to active speaking, dreaming in French can indicate you are regularly practicing it
Learning French: what does fastoche mean and when should it be used? Plus, can you guess the meaning behind more simple slang terms ending in -oche
Learning French: when and why do we say montrer patte blanche? A French fairytale phrase for trustworthiness
Obligatory language tests for French residency: Differences between TEF and TCF We speak to an official language assessment centre about why candidates may prefer the more modern and flexible TEF exam
Learning French: what does pile-poil mean and when should it be used? Plus, find out how to pronounce this precise phrase
Learning French: four expressions featuring fil The word is used in a springtime saying that comes with a weather warning
Learning French: understanding 'backwards' abbreviations The penchant for shortening long terms makes the language even harder for foreigners to understand
Learning French: the origins and meaning of gratin Understand the etymological roots of this beloved dish with a crispy, cheesy topping
Learning French: what does comme par hasard mean and when should it be used? A sarcastic saying to describe something unsurprising or coincidental
Can you master these 10 French tongue twisters? As well as being a fun party trick, these can help you master pronunciation of difficult sounds
Learning French: what is the difference between tout compris and tout inclus? How to avoid costly ‘all-inclusive’ surprises
Three fun fromage phrases for France’s national cheese day Today (Thursday, March 27) is la journée nationale du fromage
Learning French: the origins and meaning of ça me fait une belle jambe A sarcastic saying to suggest something is unimportant or irrelevant
Learning French: when and why do we say racler les fonds de tiroir? An expression for when funds are running desperately low
Learning French: the origins and meaning of tenir au jus A juicy saying for when you want to be kept in the loop
Learning French: when and why do we say de fil en aiguille? An expression to reflect a gradual progression
Learning French: helpful vocabulary for finding an artisan in France Hiring artisans can be costly... use these essential terms to navigate the process effectively
Learning French: when and why do we say mettre la main à la pâte? This French phrase has little to do with pâte or dough and is useful when you need to ‘get stuck into' a task
Learning French: what does top départ mean and when should it be used? A handy phrase to indicate that an event is underway
Learning French: five short talk radio shows to improve your language skills Improve your French comprehension with these quick, insightful broadcasts that can also be listened to as podcasts
Learning French: when and why do we say être bien dans ses baskets? Watch out for false friends in this saying about self-confidence
Learning French: when and why do we say avoir la boule au ventre? A phrase for when you are feeling stressed or nervous
Learning French: what does que dalle mean and when should it be used? Level-up your casual French by using this term instead of rien
Learning French: the meaning of tiret du six versus tiret du huit Plus, how to tell someone your email address in French
Learning French: the origins and meaning of piger A slang word for measuring comprehension… that has nothing to do with pigs
Learning French: what does être costaud mean and when should it be used? This article features strong language
Perpète-les-Oies and Petaouchnouk: origins of these bizarre French expressions Being familiar with such idioms can help to elevate your French to the next level
Il est or c’est: how to remember when to use the right expression in French Some key grammar rules can help with this sometimes-tricky French phrase
Learning French: the origins and meaning of arrête ton char Say this when someone starts talking nonsense
Learning French: when and why do we say arriver à bon port? A phrase to use upon reaching your destination, safe and sound
Learning French: the meaning of râler and more moaning synonyms Which city in France is home to the biggest whiners?
Learning French: what does dommage mean and when should it be used? An essential term for unfortunate situations
Learning French: the origins and meaning of madeleine de Proust This nostalgic expression mixes references to baking and literature
Learning French: what does ça te dit mean and when should it be used? This quick, informal question cannot be translated literally
Learning French: beware of bilingual instructions Language notes from a lecturer on the pitfalls of translation
Learning French: unravelling popular shortcuts and contractions From ado to télé, which words are commonly shortened in everyday French?
Learning French: decoding alphabet expressions We explore the nuances of letter usage in acronyms and idioms
Learning French: what does paumé mean and when should it be used? An informal way of saying you are literally or figuratively lost
Immigration chief replies to Connexion over French residency cards and ‘hard’ language tests ‘There will always be some who say the new level is too high, but the current A1 requirement is insufficient to integrate successfully, for example for work. It’s extremely basic.’
Learning French: what does c'est pas la peine mean and when should it be used? A useful phrase to describe useless actions
Learning French: what is the difference between voir and voire? These words both sound exactly the same but have different meanings
Learning French: the origins and meaning of apporter de l'eau au moulin This saying does not have a true English equivalent
Learning French: which affectionate nicknames do French couples love? Pet names such as bébé or chaton might be heard if spending Valentine’s Day in France
Learning French: when and why do we say chaque chose en son temps A reminder to slow down and be present
Nine idiomatic French expressions about your health There are plenty of French phrases to describe your illness whatever it is
Learning French: the origins and meaning of déclarer sa flamme A fiery statement for declarations of love
Learning French: the origins and meaning of avoir le cœur qui bat la chamade An expression to send your heart racing
Learning French: when and why do we say vivre d’amour et d’eau fraîche? A handy phrase used to admire or criticise
Learning French: what does franchement mean and when should it be used? A multi-functional filler word for honest conversations